Saturday, September 29, 2007 Media workers form anti-drug organization By Grace L. Plata
DAVAO City-based media practitioners have formed an advocacy group aimed at helping the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in its anti-drug campaign.
The first of its kinds in the country, Astig or Adapting a System for Independent Growth, was formally launched Friday with Senior Undersecretary Dionision R. Santiago, PDEA director general, in attendance.
The newly elected officers of the group were inducted into office by Dioniosio. These are Nelson Cañete (RGMA) - President, Alex Roldan (City Information Office) - VP for Government, James Galay (DXAB 1296) - VP for Radio, Richy Nalagon (GMA) - VP for TV, Sarah Jane Hilom (Manila Bulletin) - VP for Print, Edith Isidro (PIA XI) - Secretary, Anthony Allada (Mindanao Times)- Treasurer, Rose Palacio (PIA XI) and Edgar Candia - Public Relations Officers, and Allan Abais (DXAB 1296) - Business Manager.
According to Cañete, the group is the first working media to answer to the call for a preventive information campaign against drugs.
"Let us set aside competition to collectively face the problem of drug abuse that threatens our community and our children. This is not merely the launch of a program but a celebration that we have managed to come together to work for a drug-free media and the whole of the city," Cañete said.
For his part, Santiago lauded the group for initiating such program and taking active part in PDEA's campaign.
"The media to me has always been a support system. You can mobilize and organize where we cannot and, thus, I remind all of you to support each other and not let competition get in the way of the (common) goal," Santiago said.
The group will be using their media expertise to educate the people on the prevention of drug addiction in the communities.
